By the end of the day, Salett had a new favorite player, all part of an interaction that shows just how important Hockey Fights Cancer can be. One of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation's pillars is taking up the fight against pediatric cancer, including therapy through distraction, and a longstanding relationship with the Flashes of Hope for the photo shoots is part of that.
This year, the day featured the opportunity to watch Blue Jackets practice and was expanded to include the chance to spend more time with Blue Jackets players Gudbranson, Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli and Ivan Provorov as well as the Lady Jackets and Stinger.
In addition to coloring books and friendship bracelet stations, the cancer heroes were able to play NHL 2024 and bubble hockey with the players as well as take advantage of the shooting and goalie stations in the Fan Zone.
For Salett, 8-year-old Maximus Billet, 9-year-old Gavin Milhoan, 11-year-old Kira Orahood, 12-year-old Levi Newman and 13-year-old Brandon Rader, the day was all about having fun at a time in their lives where fun often isn’t part of the equation.
“It was the most fun I’ve had in a while,” Levi said. “In the hospital, it gets really sad, so coming here and playing games and meeting all the Blue Jackets takes my mind off of everything that’s going on.”
(Note: 10-year-old Cooper Shirk is also a CBJ pediatric cancer hero this season but was unable to attend last week.)
MEET THE 2023-24 CBJ PEDIATRIC CANCER HEROES
It’s a reality Gudbranson knows well. His younger brother, Dennis, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia when he was a kid, and being able to make a difference in the lives of those facing a similar struggle is important to the CBJ defenseman.
“These are big days,” Gudbranson said. “I remember how important this was when I was that 13-year-old kid with my brother in the bed. Seeing a player come in and be a part of their day, it’s incredible the difference it made to our family. As a Blue Jacket, I take a lot of pride in doing this.”
The appreciation is a two-way street. For a family dealing with the struggle of pediatric cancer, the days are often long and there aren’t a lot of lights at the end of the tunnel, which is how an event like the Flashes of Hope photo shoot can make such a difference.
For Brandon Milhoan, Gavin’s dad, the chance to spend the day with Blue Jackets players – and think about anything other than the battles his son has been through – was circled on the calendar for both father and son.
“It was a lot of fun,” the elder Milhoan said. “He’s been looking forward to it. Given everything he’s going through and the family is going through, having something like this to look forward to, every night in bed he’s like, ‘Dad, do you think they’ll have this or that?’ He’s been asking about it. It’s something to look forward to. We’ve appreciate it. It’s been a good event.”
The Saletts have never been to a hockey game before, but that will change tonight when Riley and Felicia attend the annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night game against Arizona. In an unlikely place, the family has found a friend and ally to help them through one of the toughest times of their lives.
“I don’t think people understand the stressors of what childhood cancer does not just to the child but to the parents,” Felicia Salett said. “Any bit of relief, seeing them run around and have a fun and not have a care in the world, it’s absolutely amazing. I had the time of my life today.”
For those looking to join the CBJ Foundation in the fight against pediatric cancer, fans can visit cbjauction.givesmart.com or text CBJAUCTION to 76278 to participate in the annual raffle of Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys. Fans can also visit www.BlueJackets.com/hockeyfightscancer to learn more about additional opportunities to support the Foundation’s mission.
